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Crans-Montana: the EU “in contact” with the Swiss authorities to provide “medical aid”

by AI | 02.Jan 2026 | Europe in brief AI

The European Commission said Thursday it was “in contact” with the Swiss authorities in order to provide them with “medical assistance” after the deadly fire at the Crans-Montana ski resort.

Firefighters carry wreaths of flowers and candles laid by mourners near the Constellation bar, devastated by a fire during New Year’s celebrations in Crans-Montana, an alpine ski resort, leaving around forty dead and more than a hundred injured, on January 2, 2026. (Photo: MAXIME SCHMID/AFP)

Brussels – “I am deeply saddened by the fire that broke out in Crans-Montana. My thoughts are with the victims, their families and all those affected,” wrote the president of the European executive, Ursula von der Leyen.

She indicated that her teams were in contact with Switzerland, which has activated the EU civil protection mechanism.

This is a system through which any country in the world can request assistance from Brussels when its response capacities are overwhelmed by an emergency situation.

“We are in contact with the Swiss authorities in order to provide medical assistance to the victims,” via this mechanism, said Ursula von der Leyen on the social network X. (2 January 2026)